Friday Digest - Feb 24, 2023

Friday Digest Feb 24, 2023 “I felt like I was really doing something significant when I went in these little towns and churches and met with bishops. It was a struggle, but we were doing something right, so I was encouraged.”  — Bishop Woodie W. White, on his early work with the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. Ask The UMC Celebrating an advocate for racial equality NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bishop Woodie W. White was the first top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and the first Black person to head a United Methodist general agency. He was tasked with integrating annual conferences after the Central Jurisdiction was abolished. "It was significant and extremely fulfilling work," he said. Ask The UMC has more on this Pioneer in Methodism. Read story Read more from Ask The UMC TODAY'S HEADLINES United Methodist ministry with Ukraine UZHHOROD, Ukraine (UM News) — In May 2022, a team from United Methodist News, the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries visited church refugee ministries in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and western Ukraine to share stories of the United Methodist presence in the wake of the tragedy and ongoing need following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On this first anniversary of the invasion, we revisit that collection of stories. Read stories ADVERTISEMENT PRESS RELEASES Council of Bishops Bickerton plans midterm state of the church address WASHINGTON — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, will deliver a midterm State of The United Methodist Church address at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on March 2. The video presentation will launch on the official United Methodist denominational website at UMC.org/Renew and be shared on Facebook.com/UnitedMethodistChurch. The news comes on the heels of Bickerton's Ash Wednesday message in which he encouraged United Methodists to use the Lenten season "to pray that God will create within us a clean heart and a renewed spirit." Read press release Read Lenten message Texas Methodist Foundation Foundation announces grant recipients AUSTIN, Texas — For its fall 2022 grants cycle, Texas Methodist Foundation awarded $700,000 to 36 churches, schools and other organizations. Grant recipients include El Calvario United Methodist Church in Las Cruces, N.M., which provides temporary shelter to refugees. Wiley College and Lydia Patterson Institute were among the other organizations getting funding. Read about recipients COMMENTARIES UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. Western Pennsylvania Conference The merits of rest CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Rev. B.T. Gilligan took four weeks of spiritual renewal leave last fall, and he wants to share some lessons learned. "When we rest, we are not being selfish or letting others down. Instead, we are modeling a godly command going as far back as the beginning of time," Gilligan writes. Read commentary RESOURCES United Methodist Communications Agency seeks ethnic panel volunteers NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications is seeking pastors and lay leaders with marketing and/or communication responsibilities to join an upcoming Asian leader panel. Panelists will be invited to take part in online surveys and focus groups throughout the year to share their experiences, build relationships and help grow The United Methodist Church. Those interested are invited to take a brief survey. Take survey ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, you can add it to the calendar by clicking here. Wednesday, March 8-Sunday, March 12   Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference Immersion Tuesday, March 14   Webinar: The Church Audit — It's Easier Than You Think ADVERTISEMENT TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK New life for 196-year-old Pickett Chapel LEBANON, Tenn. (UM News) — Pickett Chapel has been a white church, a Black church and a multiracial one in its long life as a Methodist house of worship. A local Black history group now owns the chapel and it is being restored to be a museum and event venue. A symbolic milestone in the effort was reached Feb. 18, when a group of supporters gathered during Black History Month to witness the unveiling of a new plaque recognizing Pickett Chapel’s status as part of the National Register of Historic Places. Jim Patterson reports. Read story Amid budget woes, church sees slight rise in giving NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Overall giving to support The United Methodist Church’s denomination-wide ministries saw a small uptick in 2022 even in a time of rising church disaffiliations. However, worries remain — especially about the funding for bishops. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Read press release Church brings Christ to villagers' doorsteps BUHERA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A United Methodist crusade helped the Marange District regain some membership lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-day event brought the Gospel to more than 200 villagers' homes and resulted in dozens of new members and the return of others. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story Kentucky Conference Hunger for God on display at revival WILMORE, Ky. — The revival at Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary has drawn considerable media coverage and large crowds, with United Methodists among those waiting in line to be part of worship services. Alan Wild's on-the-scene account includes comments from a United Methodist pastor who said the revival shows "people are hungry and thirsty for God." Read story Texas Conference Faithful flock to new church community BAYTOWN, Texas — The Rev. Luis Ramirez says he feels blessed to lead a new faith community of church members who want to stay United Methodist. After Ramirez’s church voted to disaffiliate in October, he was asked to start the new Houston-area church. "It's a traditional church, but it's also a new church. It's a plant, but it's also a merger. And there's something new and refreshing about it, something I've never done before," he said. Lindsay Peyton has the story. Read story United Methodist News is a ministry of  810 12th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203  Unsubscribe from UM News Friday Digest. We respect your privacy and will never share your information with any party.